THE GRAND ORGAN OF CHESTER CATHEDRAL

Philip Rushforth (org)

Priory PRDVD 9

[78:40]

DVDs of organ repertoire are nothing new, but
when well filmed they can add an enjoyable visual
dimension to the listening experience. Watching
the organist interpret the notes at close
quarters
can add much to our appreciation of the music,
but if you find it a distraction, there is
usually, as
here, a free CD enclosed so you can listen in the
normal way with the benefit of your sound system.

Chester Cathedral’s mainly-Hill-and-Rushworth
IV/72 instrument is not in top condition, as Roger Fisher
recounts in his
informative sleeve notes; yet David Wells’s
professional care has it
sounding in fine fettle for this recording.
Although some tempi err
on the pedestrian side, Philip Rushforth’s
playing is polished and
meticulously articulated. There are some fun war
horses present
– not least the opening track, Strauss’s Also
sprach Zarathustra.
Of further variety are the cerebral and humorous
Riff-Raff (Giles
Swayne), and Trumpet Minuet (Alfred
Hollins), which shows
offthe instrument’s nobility (and a massive
Trumpet stop!).
Rushforth’s neat fingerwork is evident here. The
charming Bell Scherzo of Edwin Lamare, and the grand
finale, ‘Jupiter’ from The Planets (Holst, here in the arrangement by
Arthur Wills), are of
particular note. The Holst especially suits this
English leviathan of
an organ, and is well handled by Rushforth.

Visually, there is also plenty of interest here.
Well-filmed
interior, aerial and close-up views of the
instrument go as far as
showing us the relevant pipework that we are
hearing. Watching
Rushforth play is something of a lesson in
preparedness and
control. There is a revealing exploration of
Chester Cathedral
inside and out. The DVD also contains some bonus
features. As
with all music DVDs, though, listening through
good-quality
headphones or playing back through a decent sound
system is a
must to get the most from the recording.
Altogether an enjoyable
and informative release.